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A NOTE FROM TERESA
I remember Lent from my childhood. I remember the color purple on the pulpit, across the communion table, on our acolyte robes, and the choir robes. I remember thinking that the cross of ashes looked cool across our young foreheads. My mom always tried to explain that the ashes meant that we belonged to Jesus Christ.
I also remember a lot of praying. My brothers and I were reminded every evening and every morning to say our prayers and to ask God for forgiveness. I also remember that there was a part of giving up something. My mom would always choose something for the family to give up, which was supposed to be a sacrifice just as Christ had sacrificed. The year she decided dessert was a killer, my brothers and I suggested giving up vegetables or yard work, but she never agreed.
Maundy Thursday was always a little strange. The church was open in the evening, and the lights were on, and everyone was supposed to be silent while they were there. You would come into the church, sit with your family, pray for a while, and then take communion on your own at the communion table. It seemed like a waste of time for my younger brother and me. Only my older brother could take communion. He was baptized. My younger brother and I would sit there and wait for the rest of the family. The car ride home was full of mom telling why the time we spent in the church was so important. It was the last meal that Jesus had with his friends before he was crucified, and he told them how he wanted them to remember him. She reminded us of the minister’s words with the elders each week around the table.
Palm Sunday was always so exciting. We would carry in palms. We were waving them high in the air, singing from the top of our lungs, and smiling as we walked down the center aisle. Palm Sunday was the excitement of Jesus being carried into the city on a donkey for all to see.
I often wonder now if the grown-ups of my childhood knew how impactful their decisions about lent would have on me as a child. I still think ashes are cool on my forehead. I try to do something that brings me closer to Christ rather than giving up something now. I’ve been baptized, so I partake in the best meal ever, and Palm Sunday is still so fascinating. The season of Lent fills my soul.
Peace,
Teresa
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Facing DOUBT. Finding FAITH.
A Sermon Series for the Season of Lent
We all have doubts. They seem to be more frequent during times of crises -- which means many of us have had plenty the last couple of years. Does God actually exist? Are my prayers really heard? Why do bad things happen to good people? Is Jesus the ONLY way? Questions are not the enemy of faith. They are the path to a deeper faith. Let us journey the wilderness of this Lenten season, exploring our questions, that we might face our doubts and find a more meaningful faith. ~ Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, March 13, 2022 - Does Prayer Really Work?
Luke 11:1-13
Sunday, March 20, 2022 - Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
Luke 13:1-9
Sunday, March 27, 2022 - Does God Have a Pronoun Preference?
Luke 13:31-35
Sunday, April 3, 2022 - Is Jesus the Only Way?
Romans 9:1-5
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NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION DEADLINE
If you have something for publishing in the newsletter next week, please submit it via email to: amy@sandyspringscc.org
by noon on Thursday afternoons.
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Join us Thursday, April 14, at 7:00 pm for our Maundy Thursday service in the sanctuary. | |
This year on Good Friday, April 15, we will have the stations of the cross here at the church. More details forthcoming. | |
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EASTER SCHEDULE:
Sunday, April 16, 2022
7:00 am Sunrise Service in the Whitmire Pavilion
9:00 am Easter Breakfast in Dunlap Hall
9:45 am Easter Egg Hunt on the lawn and playground
10:15 am Traditional Easter Service in the sanctuary
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THE EASTER BUNNY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
The Easter Bunny will make a guest appearance at our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter (April 17th) at 9:45 am. He let us know that he's going to be quite busy that morning and he needs your help! Our goal is to have 1,000 plastic eggs for our children to hunt that day.
Pre-stuffed eggs with candy are the most helpful, but we also welcome candy or eggs and we'll stuff them here. Whatever you can do is greatly appreciated. Please have them in by April 13th. Thank you!
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SSCC’s Talent Show & Auction
March 20th, 11:30 a.m.
We are pleased to feature our youngest talent at SSCC, 9-yr-old, Cam Gibson, playing one of his faves: Theme from Star Wars!
Cam began piano lessons two years ago, inspired by his musically-gifted, late grandmother. As busy as Cam is with school, church, and sports, he finds time to practice every week! Our Youth need opportunities to perform in a loving environment. Your attendance supports them as well as the Chaplaincy program at Campbell-Stone.
Buy your tickets after church this Sunday!
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NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Glen and Diane Giordano
Glen and Diane have been married 37 years. They have one daughter, Margo who lives in Los Angeles, CA. Glen is the national sales manager for a rug manufacturer and Diane is a commercial architect working on multi-family housing. Glen is from New York, Diane is from Jacksonville, FL.
They met in Jacksonville, spent 10 years in Maplewood, NJ and then landed in East Cobb where they have been for the last 23 years. Diane is enthusiastic about traveling, but because of the pandemic has become a backyard birder. Having traveled for business for years, Glen is less than enthusiastic about traveling, but humors Diane who is trying to decide if the the next trip is to Chicago or Greece.
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YEAR END STATEMENTS
All Year-End 2021 Giving Statements were sent by email or hard copy. If you haven't received yours and you need one, email Kathryn AT accounting@sandyspringscc.org so she can send you one.
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TOSSED OUT TREASURES!!!!
After two years off because of you know what, Tossed Out treasures is happening on one truly grand scale. What is it? A huge upscale resale of whatever you can imagine from clothing to toys to fancy stuff to art to rugs to kitchen to HOME DÉCOR (my area) to brand new.
Beautiful and useful bargains donated by Sandy Springs folks who come and buy tossed treasures for themselves. It is open to all. THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY (8AM-5 PM), SUNDAY, noon to 5 pm.
This year we are located in the Perimeter Pointe Shopping Center, at Peachtree Dunwoody and Mt Vernon Drive near the Marta Station in the former Steinmart store facing Mt Vernon Drive. And best of
all, as if wonderful items about 30% or less of retail wasn’t enough, every penny raised comes right back into Sandy Springs community through grants to our many worthy non profits.
Each year the women of Sandy Springs Society raise and donate and work to give over $200,000 to the charities helping so many in our own home community. Please come and shop and support us. Support those we are committed to help!
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OUTREACH UPDATE
Outreach will serve on Saturday, March 19 at the Community Assistance Center at:
8607 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs in both the Food Pantry and the Upscale Thrift Store.
Here is the link for volunteer sign up:
CAC Sign-Up **Click Here
Please contact Cindi McCollough at 770-365-0365 with any questions. Thank you for giving your time to help our neighbors in need.
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RE:LOOM IS BACK!
Sandy Springs Christian Church is resuming support for re:loom - a charitable organization in Dekalb County which we have supported for years. Their role is to employ and empower homeless and low-income women through weaving products from recycled materials. Re:loom welcomes donations of clean fabric (worn, stained, etc. is not a problem), scissors, sewing supplies, and more. they do not accept upholstery fabric. Please contact Milt Hill, 770-241-6435 or milthill@comcast.net with any questions. Donated goods may be dropped at our church in the basket in the supply room (next to the copy room).
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LOOKING FOR...
Carmen Santiago is looking for a dresser for her daughter Demarise. If you have one that you were thinking about donating, please reach out to her. You can call her at 404.992.8219 or email Csantiago070@gmail.com. She lives very close to church, and might need help getting it to her apartment.
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LET'S RECYCLE!
As you know, SSCC has the designation of being a Green Chalice Church from the DOC. You may have noticed we have placed scratch pads in the pews for the artists in attendance (so offering envelopes don't get doodled on). In addition we would appreciate recycling your bulletin and/or Welcome Card (if you didn't fill it out). We can actually reuse the Welcome Cards, saving not only trees, but money in copying costs.
We are still collecting aluminum can tabs (not steel like from soup cans) and paper & plastic bags for CAC. Thank you for your help!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES | |
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PLEASE JOIN US!
Hello Modern Disciples!
This Sunday please attend our class that will gather in the Conference Room at our normal time... 9:00-ish for socializing & refreshments then class begins around 9:15-ish.
This Sunday, Teddy Ivey will be leading the group on part two of two of our discussion on chapter 5 from "The Walk" titled "Share: Gone Fishing, Reflecting Light". No reading necessary to attend class… purely optional! There will be a video to watch to help you with Cliff-notes of the chapter. We'd love to see, pray, worship, study and serve with you on Sunday morning for socializing, learning, discussion, & refreshments before Sunday worship!
All the best,
Casey
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SIX-WEEK STUDY
Please join the Pathfinders Class at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning in the Common Ground Room. We are currently in a six-week study of Galatians, facilitated by John Mills, using the book, Now That Faith Has Come: A Study of Galatians (2020) by Beth Moore and Melissa Moore.
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PRAYER REQUESTS AND THANK YOUs
Congratulations and prayers of thanksgiving for Casey Evans on his acceptance to the Georgia State University Master of Arts in Teaching program. He will begin this summer.
Prayers for Nancy McDaniel and family on the passing of her mother, Marilynn Amann. Nancy and Bryant established a nursing scholarship in her name for residents in rural Mungeli. If you would like to donate, you can give to the church (during service or online) in her memory and donations will be allocated to the scholarship fund.
Dottie Gill requests prayers for her dear friend Diane Lanier who lost her husband Lance to cancer.
Prayers for John Robeck as he continues to recover from a medical procedure.
Please pray for Stephen Brown as he recovers from surgery on his spine.
Prayers for Owen Janeway after a short hospital stay for multiple tests.
Continued prayers for the people of Ukraine. May we soon know God's peace on Earth.
CLICK HERE to see the list of our first responders and military members who we continue to pray for.
If you have any prayer requests or joys to share, please contact Teddy Ivey, Director of Congregational Care via email: Teddy@sandyspringscc.org.
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Bunny Steinmetz March 11
Shelton Blackburn March 12
James Richard Torbert March 13
Lauren Ivey March 18
Ann Walker March 19
Nathan Chimera March 21
Ryan Kahrs March 22
Dale Williamson March 23
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Laura Campbell March 25
Emily Leek March 26
Denise Shipman March 26
Angela Brown March 28
Richard Walker March 28
Dennis Bramblett March 29
John Gilmore March 29
Harrison Brown March 31
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